Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2014
38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline in tabular form the budget of Irish development aid as a percentage of GNP in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28899/14]
View answerThis Government is very strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of Irish foreign policy. Ireland’s aid programme has the reputation of being one of the best in the world. Our ongoing commitment to development cooperation is clearly set out in the Programme for Government and in our 2013 policy for international development - One World One Future - which set out a vision for a sustainable and just world in which people are empowered to overcome poverty and hunger and to fully realise their rights and potential. Despite the very severe economic and budgetary situation we have faced, the Government has clearly demonstrated its determination since coming into office to maintain and stabilise the budget for Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the maximum possible extent. In the three years 2011 through 2013 we provided approximately €1.9bn in ODA. This is an enormous achievement in the circumstances. For 2014, the Government has again managed to allocate almost €600 million to ODA, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to helping the poor of the world.
The information requested by the Deputy in tabular form is set out below.
|
Year |
Total ODA - €m |
% of GNP |
|
2014 |
599.16 |
0.43% (est) |
|
2013 |
622.07 |
0.45% |
|
2012 |
639.03 |
0.48% |
|
2011 |
659.03 |
0.50% |
